Hundreds of foreign service members serving in the international peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan paid respects to Georgian troops wounded or killed in the mission by running a marathon in Kabul earlier today.
The Ministry of Defence of Georgia said up to 300 service members from 17 countries had taken part in the run at the Hamid Karzai International Airport in the city.
The sporting event was hosted by the Georgian Armed Forces command in Afghanistan, with senior representative of the mission Colonel Ioseb Nikoleishvili awarding various prizes to the winners.
Peacekeepers serving in Afghanistan run in the marathon organised by the Georgian military. Photo: Ministry of Defence of Georgia press office.
Units of the Georgian Armed Forces have served under the ongoing mission Resolute Support in Afghanistan since its launch in 2015.
Georgian troops also served in the earlier International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) mission, contributing about 750 personnel to the peacekeeping effort.
Up to 300 service members from nations involved in the mission participated in the marathon. Photo: Ministry of Defence of Georgia press office.
Their service in the two Afghan missions has been recognised frequently by Georgian, foreign officials and military commanders.
In February, top United States Army commander in Afghanistan General John Nicholson noted Georgia's participation in the mission. Their service has also been praised by the Minister of Defence of Georgia Levan Izoria and his German counterpart Ursula von der Leyen.